Thursday's UNC Links

Carolina Football

North Carolina sophomore tailback Ronnie McGill will play "a good portion of the game" at Utah on Saturday, UNC coach John Bunting said Wednesday.UNC's McGill to playRaleigh News & Observer

"I didn't want everything to be given to me, and I still don't,'' said Smith, a reserve at left guard. "A big goal was to get a scholarship, which I did. Part of my motivation was to pay my own way." 'He's just one of the guys'Raleigh News & Observer

"I feel like the situations I went through during the offseason and this summer have helped me grow up a lot and become a better athlete than I was before," Edwards said.Edwards in the clearCharlotte Observer

The linebacker had given a boost to North Carolina's sagging defense as a freshman, but he had spent most of this season trying to climb back up the depth chart after fighting his weight and injury in the preseason.Edwards finds way back for Tar Heels
AP

As a result, we may all have to reassess our opinions on UNC and the job coach John Bunting is doing. After further review, the Tar Heels aren't nearly as bad as everybody first thought.Maybe UNC isn't that bad, after allFayetteville Observer

The father of North Carolina sophomore Fred Sparkman, one of three football players indefinitely suspended following citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession earlier this week, expected to hear from Tar Heels coach John Bunting on Wednesday about the results of a drug test that could exonerate his son. Family, UNC players await drug test resultsGreensboro News & Record

"I'm hearing they all took the drug test, but I don't know the results, or what action they will take on that," said Sammy Sparkman, father of starting linebacker Fred Sparkman.Sparkman's dad says cited UNC athletes tested
Raleigh News & Observer

"North Carolina had a chance to recruit me coming out of high school but it fell off, a wishy-washy kind of thing," said Savoy. "They didn't take me, so I'm taking this as a personal game to show them that they missed out on something special. This is a big game for myself as well as the team."Savoy set to show North Carolina what it missedDeseret Morning News

But by the time the BCS people unveil the rankings Monday, the Utes stand a good chance of being ranked in that precious, hallowed area that - if occupied at the end of the season - will deliver them unto history as the first mid-major to crash the BCS party, probably at the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day.
Utes in good shape for BCS
Salt Lake Tribune

Sione Pouha, Marty Johnson, Chris Kemoeatu, Travis LaTendresse and Morgan Scalley are enjoying senior seasons far beyond what most of them could have imagined back when they joined a team that was on its heels and earning a reputation for being all over the road.Utah Football: Seniors going out in styleSalt Lake Tribune

Meyer ripped Alberts and any other critical ESPN broadcasters "wearing a tie behind a desk that really have no, absolutely no clue" about the Utes or the strength of their schedule.Now ESPN's Alberts is staying quiet
Salt Lake Tribune

His college career at North Carolina was capped by a stellar senior season in which he earned All-America honors and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jones heads Hall of Fame inducteesJacksonville Daily News